A novel by Barbara Bouchet
Discover Falling Into Blue
Falling Into Blue is a darkly funny, luminous coming-of-age novel about a fiercely curious girl growing up amid poverty, Catholic guilt, family chaos, mental illness and Cold War fear in postwar America.
What readers are saying
In their own words
“Falling Into Blue is a wonderful read! It is full of complex characters and surprising twists and turns as Tracie tries to make sense of her world. Barbara is a wonderful storyteller. I highly recommend it.
Martha Little
“The honesty that underpins the great storytelling in Falling Into Blue is at times hilarious and at times heart-wrenching. Wise and a terrific read.
Myrna Schlegel
“It reaches out and grabs me into another world. The suspense and shock is ongoing. I couldn’t stop reading.
Garth Alley
“I love Tracie. She is strong, stubborn, imperfect, real, and deep inside she is so kind, even though she hates being nice.
Dallas Saffel
“I did not want this book to end. It brought back so many memories and should be read by anyone who has forgotten being a child.
Judith Minzel
Tracie’s courageous journey
Into the blue
Falling Into Blue is a bittersweet, funny, deeply observant coming-of-age novel about a girl trying to make sense of a family—and a world—that rarely makes sense at all.
It is 1965, and twelve-year-old Tracie is determined to remember. She has grown up on the outskirts of a dusty small town, where her sprawling Catholic family lives in and operates a struggling motel, cows graze behind the property, and chaos is simply part of everyday life.
Tracie has questions no one seems willing—or able—to answer. Why was her mother sent away after a breakdown? Why does her grandmother fill her head with stories of Voodoo, spirits and secret powers? Why does religion promise certainty while leaving her terrified of sin? Why does her mother ignore the brother who hurts her? And what will happen when the atomic bomb finally falls?
Nothing escapes Tracie’s fierce curiosity: death, sex, God, madness, cruelty, poverty, family loyalty and the strange workings of her own emerging body and mind. Adults offer rules, warnings and contradictions. Tracie keeps looking anyway.
Guided by vivid dreams and by the mysterious Rainbow Ghost who first appears in one of her loneliest moments, Tracie slowly begins to discover a source of strength that belongs to her alone.
By turns unsettling, hilarious and luminous, Falling Into Blue captures childhood from the inside—the terror and absurdity, the fierce imagination, and the stubborn hope of a girl determined to understand the unfathomable.
Barbara’s other book & business
More from Barbara Bouchet
While Falling Into Blue transports readers into the tender and tumultuous world of Tracie’s 1950s childhood, Barbara focuses on leadership and personal development in her other book, The Enlightened Edge for Leaders. Although these two works speak to different audiences, they both highlight Barbara’s ability to explore, navigate and provide insight into complex human experiences.
The Enlightened Edge for Leaders is a transformative guide for developing mindful and powerful leadership. It explores essential themes like self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking, offering practical tools and insights for leaders at all levels. This book combines real-world examples with actionable steps to help readers navigate the complexities of leadership, making it an invaluable resource for personal and professional growth.
Visit our main website, Contact Point Associates, for more information.